We are covering over some horrid, Myr-beloved, 1970's orange and brown stuff. The walls are sort of a salmon pink. (by "we" I mean Steve is covering the tile. I am drinking red wine)
Anyway, I want to paint the walls and cabinets. What colors? I want to be a little daring, but not too daring.
A friend suggested a sage green on some of the walls(around cabinets and table), and white on the others, with white cabinets.
I also have some lovely cobalt blue stuff i would like to dispay.
Ideas?
(Our kitchen is very small)
[ March 19, 2005, 08:54 AM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
If the kitchen is small, nothing very dark, otherwise it will feel closed in. Or if you go dark install lots of new lighting. We just put armstrong tiles in our kitchen and it made a vast improvment. We went from yellow and brown cruddy linoleum to a peachy grey, and the kitchen looks twice as big as it used to.
[ March 18, 2005, 11:58 PM: Message edited by: BannaOj ]
Posted by Myr (Member # 5956) on :
Sage green does make for nice walls though, and would especially go well with the cobalt blue.
Posted by Shan (Member # 4550) on :
Oooh - sage green. Nummy - just make sure it really is sage - not avacado! *shudder*
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Please, Shan, we are attempting to leave the 70's. We have Autumn gold everywhere. To go straight into avocado would be frightening! Like jumping out of one bad dream into another.
Would a light sage green(being careful that is isn't lime green) with white cabinets be OK, brightness-wise?
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
How hard is it to paint cabinets and have them look good? Ours have this shin cheesy 70's wood finish on them.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Well, Dag, when I paint our cheesy, 70's style, dark-wood-panel-with-fake-iron-hardware cabnets, I will let you know.
I know I will have to scuff them, and prime the so the varnish doesn't bleed through.
I am also going to attemp painting our ugly-a** yellow counters.
Hey, where is Punwit!
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
You rang? I'm here for another 20 minutes or so and then I'll be gone till this afternoon. If you have specific questions post them and I'll answer as soon as I can. Painting countertops is an iffy project at best.
[ March 19, 2005, 09:25 AM: Message edited by: punwit ]
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Please do not burst my bubble of hope about the countrtops. I have seen it done on my shows, Punwit! On tv!
I need to paint the varnished(very dark) cabinets, and need to know a good procduct for a primer. (I remember you answering this once before)
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
Your cabinets should be cleaned first with a good degreaser. I would suggest tsp or trisodium phosphate. Once the cabinets are clean you should lightly sand them with a fine grit paper (roughly 320 grit) or you can use a liquid deglosser like Paso. Once you've cleaned and sanded or deglossed they are ready for painting. Oil based primers are generally considered the most effective product for this use. After priming I would do a light sand again and now you're ready for finish paint. Traditionally oil based enamels were used for high use areas but nowadays there are superior products that are much more environmentally friendly as well as being less of a health hazard. I would shy away from using a latex enamel as they are less durable. I would encourage you to check with local paint stores about products called waterborne enamels. These products combine the durability of solvent based products with the low odor and water clean-up properties of water based paints.
I have never attempted to paint a laminated countertop but I've done a bit of googling and it appears to be feasible. Here are a few links that discuss countertop procedures, Ask the Expert, HGTV, and That Home Site. I personally would recommend that you use the hardest finish available and that would indicate using an 2 part epoxy paint but be aware that these products are extremely difficult to use and the fumes are quite toxic. Great care should be taken in providing adequate ventilation and protective mask equipment. Good Luck!!
Edit to add some info that I originally forgot. The info was on the primer. OOpps.
[ March 20, 2005, 09:56 AM: Message edited by: punwit ]
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
Bump for Elizabeth because I edited in some additional info.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
Thanks. I think I will forego the countertops. That sounds too scary!
The floor is almost done. It looks so beautiful.
There was a line in a movie I saw last night(either Robots or Legally Blond): "It was as if she swallowed the 70's and threw it up here." Well, someone swallowed the 70's and tossed it up in my kitchen.
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
The reason I would recommend a hard finish is because you will, I assume, be doing food preparation on your countertop and I would not feel comfortable with the idea of paint flakes possibly commingling with my ingredients. There is some info out there that indicates some people have had success with other finishes as related here If you are careful not to cut or prepare food directly on the surface I would expect that you would be fine.
[ March 20, 2005, 12:13 PM: Message edited by: punwit ]
Posted by mothertree (Member # 4999) on :
We have sunflower yellow countertops. We have a huge island, like too large to be covered with a single sheet of laminate, and our yellow countertops have a 24" backsplash up the walls.
My husband wants to wait and replace it with granite when we can afford it. But I figure we'll need our money for the flying pig fence by then.
My mom painted her bathroom counter, or there are subcontractors that do it. Or I can continue to keep the eyesore covered with empty cans and breadbags. Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
You know, Mothertree, I am painting the cabinets, which are a lovely dark brown panelling, until we get our new house, complete with Endless Pool, greenhouse, and squash court. We will also set up one of the flying pig pens as well. What do you think they eat? Humble pie?
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Cool]](cool.gif)